Top of camera controls (right)

The layout on the top of the camera is identical to the E-410's - The exposure mode dial with the power switch below it, the shutter release and exposure compensation buttons and the main dial overhanging the rear. Some settings such as exposure compensation are changed by holding a button and turning the main dial, others just by turning the dial (such as aperture in aperture priority mode). The dial is responsive, ideally located and allows for quick alteration of settings.

Exposure Mode Dial

Icon

Mode

AUTO

Fully Automatic Mode
In Auto mode the camera is essentially 'point and shoot' with automatic pop-up of the flash and Auto default settings. Interestingly however you can still access the same range of settings as in the 'advanced shooting modes' (PASM).

Aperture Priority Auto
In this mode you select the aperture and the camera will calculate the shutter speed for the exposure (depending on metered value; metering mode, ISO). Aperture is displayed on the viewfinder status bar and the LCD monitor (if INFO display is on), turn the main dial to select different apertures. A half-press of the shutter release causes the cameras exposure system to calculate the shutter speed, if it's outside of the cameras exposure range the shutter speed will blink.
 Range depends on lens max. and min. apertures, in 1/3 EV steps

S

Shutter Priority Auto
In this mode you select the shutter speed and the camera will calculate the correct aperture for the exposure (depending on metered value; metering mode, ISO).Shutter speed is displayed on the viewfinder status bar and the LCD monitor (if INFO display is on), turn the main dial to select different shutter speeds. A half-press of the shutter release causes the cameras exposure system to calculate the aperture, if it's outside of the cameras exposure range (for instance trying to take a shot at 1/500s in darkness) the aperture will blink.
 60 seconds - 1/4000 sec (in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps)

M

Full Manual Exposure
In this mode you select the aperture and the shutter speed from any combination of the above (and additionally Bulb shutter). Turn the main dial to adjust either shutter speed or aperture, press the exposure compensation button (+/-) to switch between the two. The viewfinder display will indicate how close you are to the metered exposure (+/- 5 EV). In addition a graphical representation is shown on the LCD monitor.

Buttons (Shooting mode)

Button

Function

Exposure Compensation
• -5.0 EV to +5.0 EV
• 1/3 EV steps

AEL
AFL

Auto Exposure / Auto Focus Lock
The AEL/AFL button can be programmed in a variety of different ways for different focus modes (Single AF, Continuous AF and Manual Focus). It can be programmed to be momentary AE Lock or Memo/Cancel AE Lock, it can also be programmed to perform and lock Auto Focus at the same time (these modes are described later in this preview). It's also used to trigger Auto Focus in Live View mode.

Buttons (Play mode)

Button

Function

Rotate
Although not labeled as such pressing the exposure compensation button while in play mode rotates the displayed image through 90, 180 and 270 degrees.

Play magnification
Rotate the main dial counter-clockwise to magnify the currently displayed image, there are a range of magnifications available; 2.0x, 3.0x, 5.0x, 7.0x, 10x and 14x. Use the multi-direction controller to move around the magnified image.

Protect / Unprotect
Protects (or unprotects) the current image, this sets the file system 'Read Only' flag which means you can't accidentally delete the image using the erase button, however this does not protect against formatting of the storage card (an extra 'This card contains protected images, really format?' dialog would be good).

Top of camera controls (left)

On the top left of the camera are two more buttons, at the front the flash up / mode button and towards the rear the drive mode button. Once pressed these buttons display an on-screen selection menu, you can either turn the main dial or use the multi-direction controller to adjust.

Buttons (Shooting mode)

Button

Function

Flash up / Flash mode
The first flash button is an electronic release for the pop-up flash, note that the flash will only automatically pop-up in Auto mode and some scene modes otherwise it must be raised by pressing this button (even if flash mode is Auto). You can hold this button and turn the main dial to select flash mode:
• Auto
• Red-eye reduction
• Flash on (Fill flash)
• Flash off
• Red-eye reduction & Slow-sync
• Slow-sync
• Slow-sync (Rear curtain)
• Full
• 1/4
• 1/16
• 1/64

Buttons (Play mode)

Button

Function

Copy / PictBridge Print
Allows you to copy images between the CF and xD cards (multiple images using the marking system, see below). If a PictBridge printer is connected to the camera via USB then you can print the currently displayed image.

Comments

I have had this DSLR for almost a year, as it is my first one. It came with two lenses, and one of the lenses recently has been having problems focusing. I had bought it refurbished, so that could have been the problem. Other than that, I have loved it. It takes great pictures, and is nice and compact. I don't know how it works in its automatic settings, as I only use any camera in full manual mode. But for a first DSLR, I have loved it, and I would use an olympus any day.

I bought this oldie digital as a first experience vith digital cameras, even still use film mainly. So may it was a wrong decision, but I stay beside classic film photography. This camera slow, cheap and only manual mode able to firing promptly. I missed such a moments just because it wait so much before release the shutter. The lens as it is, so far from my zeiss with contax 35mm. Obviously nonsense to compare 66 rolleiflex images. There are lots of set up features, but practically takes long time to modify them, which disturb so much the picture taking. The CF card door a slim plastic door, very fragile. The viewfinder very small. All around this model are far away any real reflex cameras, it seems who design it just never take pictures with a proper camera. I can not recommend this camera, better to smash them all in the name of photography.